Computer Help and Support

ailsagirl

(23,983 posts) Sat Jan 11, 2025, 09:02 PM Jan 11

Problem when I try to create .docx file on my PC

When I do, the file displays with garbage characters.
Thank you

8 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Problem when I try to create .docx file on my PC (Original Post) ailsagirl Jan 11 OP

What font are you in? jmowreader Jan 11 #1

What are you using to create the file? LuvLoogie Jan 11 #2

First thought - canetoad Jan 11 #3

Thank you, canetoad ailsagirl Jan 11 #4

Are you reading the file with the same program that wrote it? usonian Jan 11 #5

Appreciate it ailsagirl Jan 11 #6

Quick question-- the link you sent me-- is that for Windows 11 only? Would it work on Windoes 10? ailsagirl Jan 12 #7

Let's ask the internet. usonian Jan 12 #8

jmowreader

(51,757 posts)

1. What font are you in?

Reply to ailsagirl (Original post)

Sat Jan 11, 2025, 09:08 PM

Jan 11

My first thought is somehow your copy of Word got set to a symbol font like Wingdings or Zapf Dingbats.

LuvLoogie

(7,682 posts)

2. What are you using to create the file?

Reply to ailsagirl (Original post)

Sat Jan 11, 2025, 09:13 PM

Jan 11

Are you using Word? Is it a file you are trying to convert from a different format?

canetoad

(18,460 posts)

3. First thought -

Reply to ailsagirl (Original post)

Sat Jan 11, 2025, 10:03 PM

Jan 11

Since the over-eager repairman installed your new hard drive, did you install programs yourself, or did he, as well as loading windows, load MS Office or anything else?

You may find yourself in a jam if he has installed non-legit versions of software, or very modern software on an older machine. It's really hard to say what might be going on.

Seeing the junk text points immediately to a text-encoding problem. It might be better if you read this link and try to change the text encoding yourself. https://www.webnots.com/how-to-change-character-encoding-in-microsoft-word/

It's too much to go through all the options here, hopefully in the link you can work out your problems.

ailsagirl

(23,983 posts)

4. Thank you, canetoad

Reply to canetoad (Reply #3)

Sat Jan 11, 2025, 10:15 PM

Jan 11

I believe he installed everything he could, but unfortunately I lost a lot of my personal files.

Not sure if this answers your question.

I'll give the link a read.

usonian

(15,395 posts)

5. Are you reading the file with the same program that wrote it?

Reply to ailsagirl (Original post)

Sat Jan 11, 2025, 11:17 PM

Jan 11

A docx file may look like garbage characters in a "plain text" editor.

Here is how to fix it on windows, if this is the problem.

https://www.howtogeek.com/746203/how-to-set-your-default-apps-on-windows-11/

https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/windows-11/how-to-change-default-apps-for-files-on-windows-11

This could have gotten scrambled. I hope you find a quick fix!
Good luck.

----------
Just a suggestion. On other computers, it's called "default app to open this kind of file" (docx)
I know how to choose one on mac and linux.

ailsagirl

(23,983 posts)

6. Appreciate it

Reply to usonian (Reply #5)

Sat Jan 11, 2025, 11:31 PM

Jan 11

ailsagirl

(23,983 posts)

7. Quick question-- the link you sent me-- is that for Windows 11 only? Would it work on Windoes 10?

Reply to usonian (Reply #5)

Sun Jan 12, 2025, 12:51 AM

Jan 12

Thanks!

usonian

(15,395 posts)

8. Let's ask the internet.

Reply to ailsagirl (Reply #7)

Sun Jan 12, 2025, 01:15 AM

Jan 12

I did a search on "set default app to open files on windows" and those popped to the top.

Changed it to "set default app to open files windows 10"

These look promising.

https://www.howtogeek.com/223144/how-to-set-your-default-apps-in-windows-10/

Scroll down a bit.

https://www.auslogics.com/en/articles/change-default-apps-for-opening-files/

These two are W10 specific.
Hope it helps.
I don't know if MS changed things. They don't ask me.

Reply to this discussion